After parting ways with Xiao Wu and the others at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San rushed to Shrek Academy without delay.
En route, Tang San encountered Dugu Bo. Initially, Dugu Bo did not recognize Tang San. It was only after Tang San unleashed his martial soul and exchanged a few blows with him that he confirmed that the person before him, who had changed so much, was indeed Tang San.
As they walked towards the academy, Tang San recounted the events of the past period to Dugu Bo.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo's expression became complex. He was unsure whether to comment on the arduous fate of Tang San and his sister or to marvel at how destiny always opened a way. Their opportunities even made him envious.
Finally, Dugu Bo patted Tang San's shoulder, reassuring him that it was all in the past and that his return was what mattered.
Then, he proceeded to relay recent events to Tang San.
The attack by the Spirit Hall on the two great sects resulted in considerable property loss for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but given their immense wealth, it was not a significant blow. The casualties among their disciples were reportedly kept to a minimum, partly because forty percent of their disciples were away and could not return to the sect or receive the news in time.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, the other target, fared much worse.
Even after Grandmaster and Liu Erlong rushed to the clan to warn them, many remained skeptical.
The decision was made by Grandmaster's father, the current patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, who ordered an emergency evacuation for the clan's disciples. However, a portion of the rebellious disciples and elders remained dismissive. Su Dan Novel Network.
What followed was a more tragic sacrifice than that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
During the encirclement and annihilation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, Grandmaster and Liu Erlong, like Tang Sui and the others, experienced a surprise attack from the Spirit Hall. It was Flanders, who rushed over after finishing his duties at the academy, who helped the three of them combine their powers. They summoned the Golden Sacred Dragon and, along with other elders of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, fought against the Spirit Hall's assault, doing their utmost to cover the retreat of the remaining disciples. With nearly a third of the sect's disciples lost, the remaining two-thirds were saved.
This battle, however, severely weakened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan. Grandmaster's father, the Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, was gravely injured. Two Titled Douluo elders were lost, a truly devastating price.
At this point, Dugu Bo's expression was filled with melancholy, and Tang San was stunned.
He hadn't expected the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan to suffer so much even with the advance warning.
After his shock subsided, Tang San felt a surge of worry for Grandmaster and the others, and he intended to rush to the academy at full speed.
Dugu Bo quickly grabbed Tang San, adding, "I'm not finished yet, little monster. Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan suffered heavy losses, Grandmaster and the others are safe. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have now officially formed an alliance with the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. Grandmaster, as the Imperial Preceptor, is now diligently training spirit masters for the empire."
"The attack on the two of the three great sects has directly disrupted the balance of power between the two empires. Moreover, the Spirit Hall failed to completely destroy the two great sects this time, allowing them a chance to regroup, unite, and jointly resist the Spirit Hall."
A hint of schadenfreude appeared in his eyes. He found the Spirit Hall's self-inflicted predicament highly amusing.
"If you and that girl Tang Sui are determined to oppose the Spirit Hall, you could leverage their strength. Also, that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is not to be underestimated."
Xue Qinghe...
Tang San's memories were stirred. He recalled Tang Sui's subtle hostility and wariness towards Xue Qinghe during their graduation from Moon Pavilion. He frowned slightly, becoming more cautious, and said to Dugu Bo, "Old monster, I'll have to trouble you to pay more attention to matters concerning the royal family, especially Xue Qinghe. Sui Sui's attitude towards him was a bit unusual before. You should be careful too. I need to return to Shrek Academy to check on my teachers and complete the information exchange as soon as possible."
Dugu Bo nodded. "Alright, go ahead. But be sure to conceal yourself. Both you and your sister are now marked by the Spirit Hall. Especially after disrupting their major plans consecutively, they must hate you both to the bone and won't let it go.
"Also, don't walk around in the streets so openly from now on. Although this is the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Spirit Hall has many eyes here. Be extremely careful."
"I will."
Tang San responded earnestly. The next second, he employed the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps again, heading towards Shrek Academy.
...
By the time Tang Sui returned to Shrek Academy after handling matters in the Slaughter City, it was already late at night.
She chose not to enter through the main gate but instead flew into the academy in her incorporeal form, heading directly for the Dean's Office building where Flanders was.
"Screech—!"
In the silent night, a high-pitched phoenix cry was exceptionally noticeable.
Tang Sui glanced sideways, watching a figure engulfed in flames streak across the night sky, followed by a human silhouette that flashed past at extreme speed. She let out a soft "Oh," thought for a moment, and then changed direction, flying towards the area where the two were circling.
As expected, she saw several familiar figures on the cobblestone path below.
Upon seeing the additional silhouette in the night sky, they became alert.
But the next moment, after recognizing the person, they all revealed expressions of joy.
"Sui Sui!"
Ning Rongrong excitedly waved at Tang Sui in the air.
Tang Sui descended slowly. Ning Rongrong rushed forward in a few steps and hugged Tang Sui.
Tang San, Ning Fengzhi, and Gu Rong, who were slightly behind, also approached. Tang San, in particular, was already examining Tang Sui's condition with his Purple Demon Eyes.
Confirming that Tang Sui's aura was normal, even more restrained than before they parted, a smile appeared on his clear and handsome face. "Sui Sui, you're back. Have you finished handling things over there?"
Tang Sui nodded, patted Ning Rongrong's back to comfort her, greeted Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong, then distanced herself slightly. She looked at Ma Hongjun, who had transformed into a three-meter-long fire phoenix in the night sky and was directly meeting the strike of a Blue Silver Overlord Spear thrown by someone who was both unfamiliar and familiar, and asked with feigned ignorance, "Is that... Xiao Ao? Why are Fatty and Xiao Ao fighting?"
Five years had passed, and Oscar no longer had the youthful immaturity of his younger days.
Now twenty-two years old, after countless life-and-death battles, he had become much more composed, shedding his naivete and innocence entirely, transforming into a spirit master with extensive combat experience.
Tang San remained silent. Ning Rongrong, as one of the involved parties, explained to Tang Sui the news she had forgotten to convey during their hasty separation last time.
After parting ways at the Spirit Master Elite Tournament, Oscar had indeed joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for Ning Rongrong.
However, due to the sect's rules, the spouses of all direct disciples must be combat-type spirit masters. As a food-type spirit master who currently lacked the ability to protect himself and his beloved, Oscar and Ning Rongrong had made a ten-year pact.
If he had not returned within ten years, it would signify his failure. If he succeeded, he would definitely return to Ning Rongrong.
Now, five years had flown by, and Oscar, who had become a Spirit Emperor and, as a food-type support spirit master, was now comparable to an assault-type spirit master, had returned.